PGS Farmers’ Group Achieves Certification and Improves Local Food System – Congratulations!
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
We are thrilled that the Sana Kishan PGS Management Group, our partner group of farmers, has achieved certification as a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). This group began in January 2018, in collaboration with our Sustainability Program, to provide training, support, and accountability for local farmers pursuing organic practices. Twenty-two women farmers are members.
What is a PGS?
The PGS system of business is a means for farmers to work together for quality and organic practices and maintain a stable income. Supporters and partners include Kopila Valley Sewa Samaj, CEAPRED, and the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Karnali Province.
Small farmers across the world face a number of challenges due to climate change and market access, so farming incomes are inconsistent. The PGS system provides a local network of support with other farmers, training in organic farming practices to reduce pesticides in the land and in foods, and local buyers who commit to long-term purchasing relationships with the farmer group.
According to IFOAM - Organics International, "Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange." This is a different system than third-party certification.
Why not organic certification?
In contrast to a global third-party certification, which can be cost prohibitive for small farmers to enter, a PGS system builds on local relationships and accountability. The Sana Kishan/Kopila Valley farmers work together to create guidelines for growing food with organic practices, create sustainable income for their families, and improve access to healthy foods in the region.
Local customers, like the Kopila Valley School lunch program and the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, commit to purchasing from these farmers as much as possible, and to finding additional market outlets for the farmers.
What next?
The organic practices the PGS group is working with have proven to create impactful results in soil composition and health. On the Kopila Valley school farm, using natural and organic practices has resulted in farm land tests with significant improvement in the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and organic matter content of the soil.
We are incredibly grateful for our Sustainability Program team, local partners, and these dedicated farmers who are increasing the availability of organic and local foods, nutrition in our community, and food security for all of us.